A cozy resort town on the southern coast of Crimea, next to which was the residence of the Russian emperor. Discovering Yalta is easy and pleasant. Be sure to stroll along the embankment and explore the small streets in search of old charming mansions. With children you can visit a crocodile farm or go to the zoo. But it is worth remembering that many of the sights of Yalta, which are written about in guidebooks, are located not in the city itself, but in its surroundings.
Swallow’s Nest
This architectural monument can be seen on coins, stamps, banknotes and even in movies. The image of this small Gothic castle, hanging over the sea at a height of forty meters, is familiar to everyone. Even those who have never been to Crimea.
The Swallow’s Nest acquired its current appearance in 1912. Its owner was the German baron P.N. Steingel, who really wanted to see familiar architectural motifs far from his homeland. Since 2011, the castle has been transferred to municipal ownership and is used for art exhibitions.
Livadia Palace
Just three kilometers from Yalta is the former residence of the Russian emperors – Livadia Palace. It was built at the end of the 19th century and played an important historical role. It was here that the Yalta Conference took place in February 1945, which shaped the contours of the new world order after World War II.
The conference was attended by the leaders of the Allied countries: Joseph Stalin, Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt. Last year, this legendary meeting was immortalized with a monument, which became another landmark of Yalta.
Vorontsov Palace
The construction of this complex took twenty years. From 1828 to 1848, intense work was in full swing here. The customer was a well-known statesman at that time – Governor-General of the Novorossiysk Territory, Count M.S. Vorontsov.
After the revolution, the Vorontsov Palace housed a museum, which was almost completely looted during the German occupation. However, it is worth noting that the ceremonial interiors of the palace have almost completely retained their original decoration.
The park ensemble also deserves special attention. Its creator and chief gardener, K. A. Kebakh, personally planted plants and was involved in planning the park for more than 25 years. And today he is still as beautiful as ever.
Wuchang-Su Waterfall
Eight kilometers west of Yalta is the highest waterfall in Crimea. The water falls from 98 meters, making a loud noise. In hot weather, the waterfall almost completely dries out. And after a rainstorm or when the snow melts, it appears in all its glory. Uchan-Su is located on the territory of the Yalta mountain and forest reserve.
Ai-Petri
Not far from Yalta, in a mountain-forest reserve, there is one of the most famous peaks of Crimea – Ai-Petri (1234 meters). It is a favorite place for tourists as it offers excellent views of the surrounding area.
You can climb Ai-Petri in three ways: by cable car, by car or on foot along the paved route. At the very top of the mountain, in addition to a beautiful view, there are souvenir shops, cafes and annoying citizens offering a photo with birds as a souvenir.
